September 30, 2020
Don't Just Do It for the Barbie Jeep
Hebrews 9:1–10
Holly Carpenter
Central Truth
In the Old Testament sacrificial system, Israel could pay for disobeying their Heavenly Father, but that wasn't all God was concerned with—He wanted them to know, love, and trust Him. It was never about behavior modification but heart transformation.
Key Verse | Hebrews 9:8-10
By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing (which is symbolic for the present age). According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Hebrews 9:1–10
The Earthly Holy Place
1 Now even the first covenant had regulations for worship and an earthly place of holiness. 2 For a tent 1 9:2 Or tabernacle; also verses 11, 21 was prepared, the first section, in which were the lampstand and the table and the bread of the Presence. 2 9:2 Greek the presentation of the loaves It is called the Holy Place. 3 Behind the second curtain was a second section 3 9:3 Greek tent; also verses 6, 8 called the Most Holy Place, 4 having the golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden urn holding the manna, and Aaron's staff that budded, and the tablets of the covenant. 5 Above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat. Of these things we cannot now speak in detail.
6 These preparations having thus been made, the priests go regularly into the first section, performing their ritual duties, 7 but into the second only the high priest goes, and he but once a year, and not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the unintentional sins of the people. 8 By this the Holy Spirit indicates that the way into the holy places is not yet opened as long as the first section is still standing 9 (which is symbolic for the present age). 4 9:9 Or which is symbolic for the age then present According to this arrangement, gifts and sacrifices are offered that cannot perfect the conscience of the worshiper, 10 but deal only with food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.
Dive Deeper | Hebrews 9:1–10
I didn't get into trouble often as a kid. I even have a hard time remembering specific examples of disobeying my parents (except that one time I ran away from home—sorry, Mom). What I do remember are the punishments I received: time-outs, TV restrictions, and losing my Barbie Jeep privileges. I was so infuriated. All I cared about was paying the price and moving on.
As I grew up, I learned my parents hated these punishments but knew the necessity of them. A wrong was committed, and a payment was needed to reconcile it. My debt was forgiven, but eventually I committed another wrong. Payments were made for my disobedience, and I quickly desired to avoid sin and bypass the payments altogether.
But there was something missing in the lesson above: my conscience. I didn't care about my parents' hearts; I only cared about being square with them. In the sacrificial system given to Moses by God, the children of Israel could pay for disobeying their Heavenly Father like I did with my parents, but that wasn't all God was concerned with—He wanted them (and me) to know, love, and trust Him. It was never about behavior modification but heart transformation.
Hosea 6:6 says, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." Jesus even repeats these words in Matthew 9:13. The system of sacrifices was designed to permit the people to maintain their relationship with God that they had started by faith, but the people of Israel didn't have hearts marked by steadfast love for God. When we surrender our hearts to God's will, our desires change, and our motives and actions are impacted, too.
Are we still concerned with eliminating our outstanding balance rather than simply loving God? Don't just pay the price to get the Barbie Jeep back. Surrender your heart to God and trust His ways, being obedient to follow Him, for "to obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22).
Discussion Questions
1. Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the need to make your sins right with God? How do you know your sins are paid for? What verses in the Bible do you use for assurance?
2. Have you seen your conscience change over time as you have followed Christ? If so, how? If not, or if you haven't surrendered your life to Christ, do you think it's possible for your conscience to change?
3. What is one thing in your life that is keeping you from completely offering steadfast love to the Lord? In what area of your life are you still trying to make up for past sins?